it's no different for japanese gymnast uchimura. the two-time defending champion has been sidelined by injury, but he's determined to make his comeback this year, here in tokyo. >> reporter: the 31-year-old uchimura took part in a training camp in australia last december. he focused on sharpening up core skills and strength work. >> translator: i don't think i will be stronger than i was at my peak. but i think i can develop something different. >> uchimura swept the individual all-around titles at both the world championships and the olympics from 2009. many in the sport, including legends, came to see him as the greatest gymnast of all time. but his streak came to a halt when injury struck. shoulder problems and a poor showing at last year's nationals left him outside the qualifying spots for the world championships. >> translator: i didn't know how i should feel while watching the world championships last year. until then, i had always won the event and had always felt i belonged there. but that was not the case. i felt weak for